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enBundesliga Wrap: Derby win for DortmundBorussia Dortmund continued their recent resurgence with a dominant 3-0 derby win over Schalke in the Bundesliga.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-review-derby-win-dortmund-superheroes-leverkusen-go-fourth
Jurgen Klopp's team found themselves in unlikely relegation trouble a month ago but their fourth consecutive league victory moves them up to 10th in the standings - just eight points adrift of the fourth UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
Dortmund controlled the 146th Revierderby for long periods buthad to wait until 12 minutes from time for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to open the scoring -the Gabon international then producing Batman and Robin masks for himself andMarco Reus to embark upon a memorable celebration.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was on target from Ikay Gundogan's cross soon after, and an error from Schalke's otherwise-impressive rookie goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther allowed Reus to complete the scoring.
Derby disappointment for Schalke, combined with a late Salomon Kalou winner condemning Aubsburg to a 1-0 loss at Hertha Berlin, allowed Bayer Leverkusen to move up to fourth.
Midfielder Simon Rolfes converted Karim Bellarabi’s low cross to score the only goal of the game against lowly Freiburg in the 33rd minute.
Basement boys Stuttgart edged closer to Freiburg immediately above them by sharing a 1-1 draw with Hannover.
Christian Gentner moved Stuttgart towards the victory their survival prospects desperately needed but Lars Stindl produced a calm finish to bring the hosts level.
Stindl could not extend such coolness to a late altercation with Martin Harnik that saw both players sent off.
Hamburg are perched a point and a place above the bottom three after Alexander Meier scored a goal in each half to guide Eintracht Frankfurt to a 2-1 win.
Zoltan Stieber equalised before half time for Hamburg but the away team were forced to struggle along with 10 men after Matthias Ostrzolek was shown a red card.
Eintracht lie eighth - a place below Hoffenheim, who were 2-0 winners over Mainz.
Goals from Kevin Volland and Eugen Polanski meant a first defeat for Martin Schmidt as Mainz coach.
news_articleSat, 28 Feb 2015 21:41:22 +0000352705 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Preview: Schalke face DortmundSchalke will look to end the resurgence of fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the hotly anticipated Ruhr derby at Signal Iduna Park.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-preview-dortmund-set-ruhr-derby-bayern-host-cologne
Having struggled during the first half of the Bundesliga season, Jurgen Klopp's side have lifted themselves away from relegation trouble with three successive leaguevictories.
They sit three points above the danger zone in 12th, but face a tough test to make it four triumphs in a row this weekend.
Matches between the two sides are one of the spectacles within the German top-flightseason, although both clubs will be hoping no trouble erupts as it did in 2013 when eight Dortmund fans were arrested.
Roberto Di Matteo's side have enjoyed much more success this season with 10 wins helping them into the top four, and in a battle for the final automatic UEFA Champions League spot.
"Dortmund are a top team that has had a difficult period," Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes told Kicker. "As it is, they have recovered from it and play really good football again.
"But we do not want to be the opponent who continues to allow Dortmund to build. We need the three points."
Schalke will welcome back Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after his domestic suspension, while the hosts are sweating on the fitness of Neven Subotic and Kevin Kampl, who missed Tuesday'sChampions League defeat to Juventus through illness.
Hamburg are another side seekingto pull away from danger andthey travel to Eintracht Frankfurt, who sit four points above them.
With only seven points covering the bottom half of the table, the teams in the relegation places have not given up hope of escaping.
Hertha Berlin, who have justone win in seven,welcome an out-of-sorts Augsburg to the Olympiastadion, with the visitors having failedto win any of their last three matches in the league.
Just above Hertha are Freiburg, but their chances of moving out of the relegation play-off place look slim ahead of a trip to Bayer Leverkusen, although the strugglers will hope Roger Schmidt's will suffer from a European hangover.
Bottom club Stuttgart need a victory to avoid being cut off at the bottom, andthey face another side in poorform in Hannover, while Mainz visit Hoffenheim.
Meanwhile, league leaders Bayern Munich will look to extend their eight-point advantage with a home clash against Cologne on Friday, with Pep Guardiola's side unbeaten at the Allianz Arena since April 2014.
Worryingly for Cologne, Bayern have been in ruthless form in the league since their wobble after the mid-season break, scoring 16 goals without reply in their last three matches.
Second-placed Wolfsburg travel to Werder Bremen as they try tohold onto Bayern's coat tails, while Borussia Monchengladbach'spromising campaign takes them toPaderborn.
news_articleWed, 25 Feb 2015 16:54:31 +0000350675 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Wrap: Bayern smash PaderbornBayern Munich hammered 10-man Paderborn 6-0 in the Bundesliga, while Bayer Leverkusen were denied by a stoppage-timeequaliser from Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-review-bayern-smash-paderborn-augsburg-keeper-hitz-late-leveller
Pep Guardiola's men were held to a 0-0 draw by Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday, though they were back to their ruthless best at the Benteler Arena, following up last week's 8-0 thrashing of Hamburg impressively.
Robert Lewandowski marked his recall to the starting XI, in place of Mario Gotze, with two goals in a first half of few chances.
However, Bayern picked off the hosts almost at will following the dismissal of Florian Hartherz in the 62nd minute, Arjen Robben netting either side of Franck Ribery and substitute Mitchell Weiser also finding the net, putting the champions 11 points clear at the top.
Leverkusen missed out on the chance to go above fourth-placed Schalke, as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by fellow European hopefuls Augsburg.
Following a 5-4 home defeat by Wolfsburg last time out, coach Roger Schmidt revealed that he would be making changes to his team and that approach paid offafter just eight minutes, as Josip Drmic – in for the dropped Stefan Kiessling – put the visitors ahead.
Although half-time substituteCaiuby levelled for the hosts just before the hour mark, Stefan Reinartz struck six minutes from time to seemingly hand Leverkusen a valuable away win.
But Augsburg keeper Hitz stabbed home in the fourth minute of stoppage time, leaving the two teams side-by-side in the Bundesliga table.
Schalke retained their place in the final UEFA Champions League place despite drawing 1-1 at home to in-form Werder Bremen, who rescued a point thanks to Sebastian Prodl's equaliser just before the end.
Martin Schmidt's start to life as Mainz coach began in fine fashion, as his men beat local rivals Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 in the Rhine-Main derby, with Carlos Zambrano's late red card compounding a disappointing day for the visitors.
Hannover left Koln with a 1-1 draw in spite of Joao Pereira's red card at the death, while towards the wrong end of the table, Freiburg moved out of the bottom two thanks to a 1-1 draw at home to Hoffenheim.
news_articleSat, 21 Feb 2015 21:06:00 +0000348401 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Preview: Schmidt to make changesBayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt is set to punish under-performers byringing the changes ahead of Saturdays trip to Bundesliga surprise package Augsburg.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-preview-schmidt-make-changes-bayern-tipped-success
Schmidt's side lost 5-4 at home to second-placed Wolfsburg in their last league outing, with the hosts finding themselves 3-0 down after halfanhour, prompting the coach to make all three of his substitutions at half-time.
The introduction of Simon Rolfes, Josip Drmic and Julian Brandt helped Leverkusen go on to score four times in the second half, yet their efforts ultimately counted for little as Bas Dost's fourth goal of the day consigned the hosts to a first home defeat of the seasonin stoppage time following a red card for Emir Spahic.
Schmidt feltthat his half-time tweaking was integral to avoiding an embarrassment and, after hauling off the disappointing Hakan Calhanoglu,Stefan Kiesslingand Lars Bender at the interval, the former Red Bull Salzburg tactician will be making changes for the Augsburg match.
"It [making three changes at half-time] was about the dignity of the team," he told reporters.
"I have increased confidence in some players [after the second-half display]. Now, other players have shown what they can do. The cards will be reshuffled."
Champions Bayern Munich obliterated Hamburg 8-0 at the weekendand will be looking to produce another ruthless display at Paderborn on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's men go into the weekend eight points clear of Wolfsburg and will be strong favourites to emerge victorious again, with Paderborn winning just one of their last 11 in the league.
Wolfsburg, meanwhile, will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 10 league matches when they host Hertha Berlin on Sunday, just three days after entertaining Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League.
Borussia Monchengladbach also face a tricky European test on Thursday, travelling to Europa League holders Sevilla,and that clash will be followed by a visit to Hamburg on Sunday.
Lucien Favre's team are enjoying a fine season domestically and a victory will see them consolidate their place in third, ahead of Roberto Di Matteo's Schalke, who have risen from 11th since the Italian's appointment in October.
Di Matteo will be preparing his side for a potentially tough day as they welcome a resurgent Werder Bremen going for a sixth triumph in a row, while the Gelsenkirchen-based outfit's local rivals Borussia Dortmund go to Stuttgart in Friday's solitary fixture.
Dortmund have endured a turbulent campaignand sit just a point above the bottom three, though success on Saturday will see them rack up three successive league wins for the first time this season.
After replacing the sacked Kasper Hjulmand, Martin Schmidt begins his spell in charge of the Mainz firstteam with a Rhine-Main derby clash at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, while Hannover and Hoffenheim head to Koln and Freiburg, respectivelyin Saturday's other meetings.
news_articleWed, 18 Feb 2015 17:18:14 +0000346353 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Wrap: Freiburg beat relegation rivalsFreiburg edged the battle at the foot of the Bundesligaon Sunday by winning 2-0 at Hertha Berlin to leapfrog their opponents andmove up to 16th.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-review-freiburg-beat-relegation-rivals-paderborn-secure-welcome-win
The visitors bounced back after back-to-back lossesasFelix Klaus'second goal of the season after 13 minutes set them on their way.
The lead was doubled soon after the restart throughMaximilian PhilippasFreiburgmoved above Hertha on goal difference.
Elsewhere, Paderborn climbed out of the relegation places by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Hannover.
Marcelo put the hosts ahead but Paderbornequalised with 18 minutes to go thanks to substituteSrdan Lakic beforeAlban Meha struck the winner seven minutes later.
news_articleSun, 15 Feb 2015 19:54:58 +0000344501 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Preview: Bayern host HamburgBundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will look to move back towards top gear when they host Hamburg on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-preview-bayern-aim-stay-track-tricky-games-chasing-pack
Pep Guardiola's defending champions endured a stuttering return from the mid-season break, following up a stunning 4-1 loss to second-place Wolfsburg with a 1-1 draw against Schalke.
Basement boys Stuttgart were dispatched 2-0 last weekend and Guardiola will hope for further improvement against a resurgent Hamburg, who head into the fixture on the back of recording consecutive wins for the first time this season.
Wolfsburg are eight points adriftof Bayern and face a tricky test of their pursuit at Bayer Leverkusen.
Dieter Hecking's men have a shinning light in Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgium attacking midfielder boasting five goals in three outings since the Bundesliga action resumed.
Leverkusen lie sixth and are unbeaten at home in the league this season, although thy have drawn their past three matches at the BayArena.
Schalke and Augsburg are level on points in third and fourth and are both on the road this weekend.
Roberto Di Matteo has lifted Schalke from 11th position since his appointment insucceeding Jens Keller at Schalke, and they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt having beaten fellow UEFA Champions League hopefuls Borussia Monchengladbach.
Augsburg have proved to be the surprise package of the Bundesliga season so far but they face one of the division's form sides in Werder Bremen.
Viktor Skripnik's 12 matches in the Bremen dugout since replacing Robin Dutt in October have yielded eight wins, including an on-going run of four in a row.
Austrian free-kick specialist Zlatko Junuzovic has been central to thatupturn with four goals in his past seven games.
Borussia Dortmund's slump has been one of the season's talking points andJurgen Klopp's men face another vital game in their unlikely scrap against relegation.
An opener from Marco Reus - who showed his loyalty bysigninga new contract this week -and a brace from fellow forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secured a restorative win over fellow strugglers Freiburg last weekend - only Dortmund's fifth in the Bundesliga this term.
Victory against Klopp's former club Mainz at Signal Iduna Park on Fridaywould haul the 2011 and 2012 champions level with their opponents on 22 points.
Stuttgart are propping up the table,a situation they will hope to remedy when they face seventh-place Hoffenheim on Saturday - themselves aiming to end a slump of three straight losses.
Monchengladbach welcome Cologne in the remaining Saturday fixture, while Sunday's matches see Hertha Berlin host Freiburg and Paderborn travel to Hannover.
news_articleWed, 11 Feb 2015 20:51:21 +0000341964 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Wrap: Win lifts Dortmund off bottomFollowing a damaging defeat in midweek, Borussia Dortmund responded in fine fashion on Saturday as they climbed off the bottom of the Bundesliga table with a 3-0 success at Freiburg.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-review-dortmund-bottom-win
After Wednesday's 1-0 reverse at home to Augsburg, Mats Hummels and Roman Weidenfeller spoke to angry supporters, who were expressing their ire at having seen their team drop to the foot of the table.
But the 3-0 triumph at Freiburg will have calmed fears slightlyas Jurgen Klopp's men ascended to 16th.
Marco Reus put the visitors ahead in the ninth minute before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted twice in the second half to seal all three points as Dortmund climbed above their opponents.
At the opposite end of the table, the top two ofBayern Munich and Wolfsburg both enjoyed victory.
Bayern, who had taken one point from their two matches since the mid-season break, were grateful to goals from Arjen Robben and David Alaba for their 2-0 win at Stuttgart.
For Wolfsburg, recordsigning Andre Schurrlehad an immediate impact by setting up the opening two goals for Bas Dost and Kevin De Bruyne in the first half, with the latter adding a second with six minutes remaining to secure a comfortable 3-0 win.
Pal Dardai's interim reign at Hertha Berlingot off to a good start as the capital clubwon 2-0 at Mainz, in a game which saw both sides finish with 10 men.
Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius was sent off just after the half-hour for bringing down Valentin Stocker inside the box, and Jens Hegelerconverted the resulting penalty.
Roy Beerens added a second three minutes before the interval, and Hertha - who sacked Jos Luhukay in midweek - were able to hold on despite seeing Fabian Lustenberger dismissed just before the hour-mark.
Hannover shot themselves in the foot somewhat during their 2-1 defeat at Hamburg.
Joselu missed a penalty for the visitors midway through the first half, and then Marcelo put through his own net to give Hamburg the lead.
Marcell Jansen doubled Hamburg's advantage, while Artur Sobiech's strike proved nothing more than a consolation for Hannover.
Elsewhere, Cologne's meeting with Paderborn ended goalless.
news_articleSat, 07 Feb 2015 20:43:47 +0000339448 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Preview: Hummels urges BVB fightBorussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels has called on his team-mates to show fight on the pitch with relegation from the Bundesliga fast becoming a real possibility.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-preview-hummels-urges-dortmund-fight
Dortmund remain two points adrift at the foot of the table after crashing to a 1-0 defeat at home to 10-man Augsburg on Wednesday.
Hummels and vice-captain Roman Weidenfeller spoke to frustrated supporters post-match following a fifth league match without success.
No one could have predicted Dortmund's demise, having seen Jurgen Klopp's men finishin the top two in the past four Bundesliga campaigns.
However, the danger of being relegated to Germany's second tier for the first time since 1971-72 is becoming an increasing concern.
And Hummels has urged Dortmund to dig deep to avoid the drop, starting against Freiburg, who are only two points above the former.
"We're always chasing games after going behind," Hummels said after Wednesday's defeat. "What's missing is us taking the lead so that we can then sit back and play on the counter.
"We're all aware we've got to fight in these next 15 games.
"Playing attractive football will just be a bonus - we're still expected to play great football.
"Ninety-eightper cent of this is about the fight. The other two needs to be about loosening up so that we start making the right decisions in the final third."
Looking further up the table, league leaders and reigning champions Bayern Munich travel to third-bottom Stuttgart on Saturday in a rare run of poor form.
Since the mid-season break, Bayern have failed to win a match - beaten 4-1 by second-placed Wolfsburg before drawing 1-1 at home to Schalke on Tuesday.
Bayern remain eight points clear at the summit but cannot afford another slip up with Wolfsburg looming large.
Wolfsburg are also in action on Saturday against Hoffenheim and star recruit Andre Schurrle could make his bow for the club following his move away from Chelsea.
Only two points separate Borussia Monchengladbach, Augsburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
Gladbach occupy third position with 33 points, two clear of sixth-placed Schalke, leading into Friday's showdown at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
Augsburg - level on points with Gladbach - host Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, while Leverkusen (32 points) make the trip to Werder Bremen, who have won three games on the bounce, on the same day.
Elsewhere, youth team coach Pal Dardai will take charge of second-bottom Hertha Berlin as they travel to Mainz after Jos Luhukay was sacked following Wednesday's loss to Leverkusen.
Cologne tackle Paderborn, while Hamburg and Hannover go head-to-head.
news_articleFri, 06 Feb 2015 02:35:18 +0000338272 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHuntelaar suspension reduced on appealKlaas-Jan Huntelaars six-match ban has been partly suspended after Schalke succeeded with their appeal against the length of the suspension.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/huntelaar-ban-reduced
The Netherlands international was sent off with five minutes remaining of their 1-0 Bundesliga victory over Hannover on Saturdayfollowing a rash challenge on Manuel Schmiedebach.
A straight redcard would normally only incur a three-game ban, however Huntelaar'ssuspension was extended after confronting referee Sascha Stegemann having been dismissed.
Huntelaar looked set to misscrucial league matches with Bayern Munich, Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, but will now be available for the last of those fixtures after the DFB reduced his ban.
The new suspension, which started with Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich, is for fourmatches, with a further two suspended until January 30, 2016.
Huntelaar will be able to feature in their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid, but will not play another league game until the final day of February..
news_articleWed, 04 Feb 2015 11:56:38 +0000337218 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Wrap: Bayern escape with a pointBayern Munich have dropped points in two successive Bundesliga matches for the first time since April 2014 as Schalke held them to a dramatic 1-1 draw, but Wolfsburg could not capitalise.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-review-bayern-escape-point-wolfsburg-held-frankfurt
Bayern came into Tuesday's meeting at the Allianz Arena following a 4-1 thrashing by second-placed Wolfsburg last time out, and it looked as though they were facing another struggle when centre-back Jerome Boateng was sent off for a foul on Sidney Sam in the penalty box inside the first 20 minutes.
But Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season, saw his tame spot-kick denied by Manuel Neuer diving to his left.
It seemed the visitors would be left to rue that wasted chance when forward Arjen Robben headed in Xabi Alonso's corner midway through the second period, but captain Benedikt Howedes produced a similar finish from Sam's 72nd-minute delivery to earn his team a share of the spoils.
Despite dropping points for the second time in succession, Bayern maintain their eight-point advantage at the top of the Bundesliga thanks to Wolfsburg's 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Buoyed by their Bayern scalp and a run of form which included just one league defeat in 12 matches, Wolfsburg went to Frankfurt confident of beating their mid-table opposition, even with new signing Andre Schurrle absent.
But, with 58 minutes on the clock, things got uncomfortable for Dieter Hecking's men, as Stefan Aigner found the net following good work by Takashi Inui.
Frankfurt were denied a fine win two minutes from time, however, as Kevin De Bruyne turned in Marcel Schafer's cross to secure a last-gasp draw.
Third-placed Borussia Monchengladbach made the most of Wolfsburg's stalemate, though, closing to within five points of Hecking's side thanks to a 1-0 victory at home to struggling Freiburg.
And in the day's only other fixture, Mainz claimed a 1-1 draw away to Hannover.
news_articleTue, 03 Feb 2015 22:37:23 +0000336882 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Preview: Bayern seek responseBundesliga champions Bayern Munich will seek a quick response to their first defeat of the season when they host Schalke 04 on Tuesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-preview-bayern-seek-quick-response
Pep Guardiola's men were beaten 4-1 by the second-placed Wolfsburg on Friday, a result that cut the gap between the two to eight points.
Bayern still lead the league comfortably and are 15 points ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach in third, but the Bavarian giants will be keen to hit back as they go in search of a third successive title.
Defender Jerome Boateng said after the Wolfsburg defeat: "It's simple - we played really badly.
"We have to take a good, long look at ourselves."
A quick turnaround helps Bayern, who face a Schalke side missing star striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar through suspension.
Roberto Di Matteo's side could welcome back top scorer Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, though, following Cameroon's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
In another boost to the fourth-placed Schalke, winger Franck Ribery (thigh) is expected to miss for the hosts.
Wolfsburg, who splashed the cash to sign Andre Schurrle from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, go to Eintracht Frankfurt - also on Tuesday.
Bas Dost and Kevin De Bruyne both scored doubles in the Bayern win and Schurrle's arrival adds further firepower to a Wolfsburg side looking increasingly likely to finish second.
From Borussia Monchengladbach to Bayer Leverkusen, in sixth, just one point separates several teams angling for a UEFA Champions League berth.
One goal was enough for Gladbach at relegation-threatened Stuttgart on Saturday and they host struggling Freiburg on this occasion.
Freiburg were bottom over the mid-season break and trailed Frankfurt 1-0 after 61 minutes on Saturday.
But a remarkable finish - which included Nils Petersen, a new loan signing from Werder Bremen, scoring a hat-trick - saw Freiburg claim a 4-1 win.
They climbed to 14th, and safety, with the win.
Augsburg, in fifth, and Leverkusen, are both in action on Thursday.
Augsburg go to rock-bottom Borussia Dortmund, while Bayer Leverkusen will aim to bounce back from a dull goalless stalemate against Jurgen Klopp's side when they visit the German capital to play Hertha Berlin.
Elsewhere, second-bottom Stuttgart visit Cologne and Paderborn play Hamburg in a potential relegation six-pointer.
Hannover face Mainz and Hoffenheim clash with Werder Bremen in other matches.
news_articleMon, 02 Feb 2015 20:34:47 +0000336196 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchalkes Huntelaar hit with six-match banSchalke have confirmed striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will miss the next six Bundesliga matches after being sentoff against Hannover on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/huntelaar-banned-six-matches
The Netherlands international was sent off with five minutes remaining of their 1-0 victory following a rash challenge on Manuel Schmiedebach.
A straight redcard would normally only incur a three-game ban, however Huntelaar'ssuspensionhas been extended after confronting referee Sascha Stegemann having been dismissed.
His ban will mean Roberto Di Matteo has to do without the services for crucial league matches with Bayern Munich, Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund.
Huntelaar will be able to feature in their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid, but will not play another league game until mid-March.
news_articleMon, 02 Feb 2015 16:13:08 +0000336074 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBundesliga Wrap: Draw leaves Dortmund bottomBorussia Dortmund showed little sign of putting their pre-winter break woes behind them as they sunk to the bottom of the Bundesliga with a 0-0 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on the leagues resumption.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bundesliga-review-dortmund-bottom-paderborn-thumped
Saturday's late game saw both sides create little in the final third, although Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno was perhaps lucky not to be dismissed just before the quarter-hourmark,after appearing to handle the ball outside the box as he smothered to deny Ciro Immobile.
There were few other talking points at the BayArena, with the result consigning Dortmund to the bottom of the table and pilingthe pressure onto coachJurgen Klopp.
Leverkusen's slip-up allowed Borussia Monchengladbach to move back into the driving seat in the race for a UEFA Champions League spot, with Patrick Herrmann's 71st-minutegoal handing the visitors a 1-0 win over Stuttgart.
Monchengladbachnow sitthird, level on points with Schalke, who beat Hannover by the same scoredespite Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s dismissal late in the second half.
One of the biggest surprises of the day cameat Mainz, as a Yunus Malli brace inspired a 5-0 win at against Paderborn.
The 22-year old opened the scoring after just six minutes with a drilled low finished, before poking home a shot to double his tally two minutes into the second half.
Malli was on hand to createhis side's third midway through the second half, teeing up Pablo De Blasis to drill a shot home, before Sami Allagui and Johannes Geisadded two more in the space of five minutes late on.
A first win in 10games leaves Mainz four points clear of the relegation zone and sees them leapfrog Saturday's opponents to sit in 11th place.
Fellow strugglers Freiburg were also in fine goalscoring form, claiminga 4-1 win at home to Eintracht Frankfurt thanks todebutant Nils Petersen's 25-minute hat-trick from the bench.
Hamburg's relegation worries continued after a Marcel Risse brace consigned them to a 2-0 defeat at home to Cologne.
news_articleSat, 31 Jan 2015 21:30:27 +0000334895 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFuchs backs Schalke keeper Giefer to shineWith Schalkes number one Ralf Fahrmann sidelined with a knee injury, Christian Fuchs has offered his backing understudy Fabian Giefer.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fuchs-backs-schalke-goalkeeper-giefer-shine
Goalkeeper Fahrmannstrained the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a training session earlier this month.
That means Giefer, who moved to the Veltins Arena from Fortuna Dusseldorf in the close-season, is set to make his Bundesliga bow for Schalke when they restart their campaign at home to Hannover on Saturday following the mid-season break.
"Fabian is a great goalkeeper and a good replacement for Ralf," Fuchs told Schalke's official website.
"Both are not only extremely strong goalkeepers, but also good footballers."
Schalke reached fifth position before the break and Fuchs claims their training has left them in good stead ahead of the second half of the season.
"The whole team is looking forward to playing Hannover," he added. "We have worked very well in preparation.
"The 10-day training camp in Qatar was very intense, then we have continued our programme in Gelsenkirchen. We are definitely ready for the start."
news_articleFri, 30 Jan 2015 10:24:18 +0000333846 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com10 questions to be answered in second half of the BundesligaDavid Morris evaluates the biggest talking points in Germany as the Rückrunde looms...David Morrishttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/10-questions-be-answered-second-half-bundesliga
After what's felt like an extraordinarily long winter break (just under six weeks) the Bundesliga returns this weekend, with plenty of important matters still to be resolved. Here's what to look out for in the Rückrunde...
1) Can Bayern Munich go unbeaten?
A question that seems to get asked each year, with an affirmative answer that seems increasingly likely as the seasons pass. Under Pep Guardiola, Bayern are more than a dominant force in Germany –they're practically untouchable.
The Bavarian giants head into the second half of 2014/15 with a remarkable record of 14 wins in 17 games; three draws thwarting their chances of perfection. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that in those 17 games, they have only conceded four times. It's no wonder Manuel Neuer has been entertaining himself.
So can they really become the first Bundesliga team to do it? Don't bet against it. As the stats show, Bayern are defensively solid and irresistible going forward, with no shortage of attacking options. Add to this the players returning from injury, and Guardiola may soon be able to select his XI from a near fully-fit squad.
They face perhaps their hardest domestic game as soon as the Bundesliga returns with a trip to Wolfsburg. If they can escape the Wolves with their undefeated record still intact, it's hard to see exactly where they will falter. But last season’s hopes of an unbeaten campaign were ended at the most surprising of places (Augsburg), and when Bayern inevitably wrap up the title early again they could risk taking their foot off the pedal with the Champions League in mind.
2) How will Wolfsburg react to tragedy?
Wolfsburg’s rise up the table has been exciting to watch. Only Bayern and Frankfurt have managed to outscore them so far, and with their entertaining brand of football they have easily been the best and most complete side behind the Bavarians. But now they must play on after the tragic passing of midfielder Junior Malanda, who died in a car crash during the winter break aged just 20.
One can only imagine how difficult it has been for the players and management to return to normality after the death of a close colleague and friend, and there is certainly a possibility that it will have an impact on their performances. However, it is also true that the Belgian’s team-mates will be desperate to continue their excellent form in his name and finish the season in the best possible fashion.
It's highly unlikely that they'll catch Bayern, of course, especially if they fail to defeat them in the first game back from the winter break. Nonetheless, Dieter Hecking's men are looking increasingly likely to finish as the Bundesliga’s runners-up. A strong second half of the campaign will send out a positive message that they are ready to challenge for honours properly next season.
3) Can it get any worse for Dortmund?
It's still hard to fathom just how far the 2013 Champions League finalists have plummeted. Never has a side been in such desperate need for a winter break as Jurgen Klopp and his team were in December. But how will they perform when the action recommences?
Surelyit can'tget any worse for Die Schwarzgelben. Dortmund have performed very well in Europe, at least, which makes their dreadful form to date in the league even more surprising. Twice this season they've sat bottom of the table, and only aren't now by virtue of having scored one more goal than Freiburg. The numbers make for particularly painful reading for Dortmund fans, with their side having lost 10 of 17 matches, and only Freiburg, Cologne and Hamburg having found the net fewer times.
But the winter break may just aid one of the best recoveries ever. The six weeks off have allowed Dortmund’s injury-plagued squad to properly recover – not least talisman Marco Reus. In reality they're only four points off 10th, 12 off a Champions League spot, and given the unpredictable nature of the Bundesliga it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Klopp may be able to orchestrate a dramatic revival.
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4) ...or will he go before the season's out?
As the days pass by it seems certain that Reus and Mats Hummels will still be at Dortmund when the Bundesliga returns. But while questions over their future may be best saved for the summer when rumours are likely to intensify once again, can the same be said of manager Klopp? The powers that be continue to insist he will never be sacked, but if the poor form continues and Dortmund find themselves on the brink of an unthinkable relegation, who knows what may happen.
Similarly, Klopp continues to maintain that he will never walk away from the club that has helped make him one of the most high-profile names in European football. However, he has always come across as a man of honour, and if he genuinely feels he is unable to save the club then he may well step aside.
While such a predicament was unthinkable 12 months ago, there have been recent signs that the supporters are less enamoured with Klopp than they were previously. If the poor results continue, Kloppo's future may be more uncertain.
5) Will the Bundesliga lose a giant?
If Dortmund’s plight illustrates anything, it's that the Bundesliga is wildly unpredictable. Such is the competitiveness of the league that only four points separate bottom side Freiburg and 10th-placed Paderborn. Between these two sides are a number of ‘big’ teams including Werder Bremen, Stuttgart and Hamburg, four of the bottom five sides in the league.
It is now possible, perhaps even probable, that one of them will finish in the bottom two. In the last 10 years, three of them (Dortmund, Werder and Stuttgart) have been crowned Bundesliga champions. In which other top league would such high-profile sides be facing the drop?6) How will Augsburg’s season of surprises conclude?
Paderborn might find themselves in mid-table, but the plucky promoted side are still perilously close to the battle for survival. Augsburg, who rose in 2011, are not. A side tipped by most to be in real trouble this season, the Bavarians have continued to shock almost on a weekly basis. Markus Weinzierl's mob havebeen on an upward trajectory since ending Bayern Munich’s unbeaten record last season, moving from relegation candidates to genuine European hopefuls. Currently one of the three sides on 27 points, the Bavarian outfit are sixth in a Europa League spot.
Weinzierl is now one of the hottest managerial properties in Europe, having completely transformed this side. If they don't conclude their fairytale story with a place in Europe next season, don't be surprised to see him move on to a new project.
7) Who will secure a Champions League spot?
Bayern Munich are dead certainties to gain one, while it also looks likely that Wolfsburg will take another, leaving the other two places completely up for grabs. Only five points separate Bayer Leverkusen in third and Frankfurt in ninth, and any side in between will genuinely believe they are in with a shot.
The likes of Leverkusen and Schalke would be the favourites at this stage, but with latter's instability constantly rearing its head, together with the minimal gap between all the teams involved, every team will quietly fancy their chances.
One side desperate to go one better than last season are Borussia Monchengladbach, who have performed worse in the second half of the season in each of the last three campaigns. It is also interesting to note that in just three Bundesliga seasons ever have the sides in the top four at the halfway point finished there.
8) And how far will German clubs progress on the continent?
Germany will start the year with five teams representing it in European competitions. Both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund topped their groups in the Champions League, while Schalke also progressed, finishing second behind Chelsea. Roberto Di Matteo's side will do well to even run Real Madrid close in the last 16, but Bayern and Dortmund will be more hopeful of their chances against Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus.
Meanwhile in the Europa League, Wolfsburg and Borussia Monchengladbach made it through to the last 32, and while both teams have difficult draws (against Sporting and Sevilla), they have no reason to panic.
This year’s Europa League looks a very challenging one to call, but there is no reason why Germany’s two remaining clubs can’t go deep into the competition. After a World Cup triumph in the summer, will a German side be the toast of Europe come May?
9) Who'll top the goal charts?
Bayern's form in front of goal may have been blistering, but they boast neither the league's top goalscorer nor assist maker so far this season. Dutchman Arjen Robben has netted the second-highest number of goals (10) in the Bundesliga, while fellow team-mates Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller have all found the net seven times. It's Frankfurt’s Alexander Meier who leads the charts with 13 strikes to his name, and given the Eagles' free-scoring season so far, you'd expect him to net more in the second half of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne has been doing a good job of showing Chelsea what they're missing out on by topping the assist table. With 10 goals laid on for his fellow Wolves, he is four ahead of nearest competitor Muller.
With Bayern likely to romp their way to the title it would be a big surprise if the league’s leading marksmen came from other sides. But while the likes of Robben and Gotze have been ticking along nicely, the somewhat underwhelming performances of Lewandowski have been one of the few marks on a splendid first half of the campaign. Will he burst into life when the league restarts, or will Frankfurt be toasting their first Torschützenkönigewinner since Tony Yeboah in 1993/94?
10) Who will win the BunDucksLiga?
A swimming pool, a race, and some rubber ducks wearing club colours. Seventeen of them, plus a frog in a rubber dingy (Werder Bremen) have battled it out to be crowned the champion. Will Bayern Munich storm to yet another success, or will they be beaten to the line by Werder Bremen’s (surely illegitimate) reptile?
featureThu, 29 Jan 2015 12:45:00 +0000Joe Brewin333203 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com